10.8.1 Termination of Services/Transition to Adult Services | 10.8.2 Aftercare
A youth can be considered for successful termination of services when he or she has successfully completed all of the tasks outlined in the objectives of their independent living service plan and when the following conditions are met:
· Youth has completed the education goals and objectives
· Youth has secured substantive employment
· Youth has completed the life skill assessment, 6 months prior to discharge
· Youth has obtained safe and affordable housing
· Youth had a recent (within the last six months) medical, dental and eye examination
· Youth has a contact who can assist them in emergencies and act as a mentor.
· A youth reaches legal discharge age.
When contemplated service termination and transition to adult services, caseworkers must perform the following activities:
· Provide the youth with at least six months notice whenever cessation of any benefits may occur at the time of transition to independence or transfer to adult services. The Department will be responsible for preparing for a youth's successful transition by:
- Arranging for transfer of termination of custody, as applicable.
- Providing information on services to which adolescents may be entitled or rights which they may have, as a result of disability; providing the medical history.
- Making every effort to ensure that basic resources are in place, i.e., living arrangement, income, affordable health care and transportation.
- Assisting the youth in identifying at least one adult committed to helping with the transition and access to positive peer support.
- Providing knowledge of the court and welfare systems.
- Providing information on day care services, leisure-time and religious resources.
- Providing supportive linkages for the youth at the Department and through use of community resources and volunteers or other youth that have made a successful transition.
· Assist the youth in obtaining or compiling documents necessary to function as an independent adult, including those items listed under the section regarding ongoing development and maintenance of a Lifebook.
· Ensure the youth leaves care with job information and community resources, including:
- Resume and reference letter
- Information on use of community resources
- Summary of transition plan that includes options, list of emergency and contact persons and how to contact the Department or other resources if having difficulty with their transition or aftercare plan.
Aftercare services are independent living services provided to eligible youth after they have been discharged from substitute placement. Many youth are ready to live independently; however, they may lack one or two skills that would make them self-sufficient. Emphasis should be placed on helping young people to succeed in education, training, employment and personal stability by establishing a series of conditions to be met prior to release from state custody to live on their own.
For youth to be successfully discharged from care, the agency must:
· Ensure that youth are employed and earning a living wage.
· Verify competence in basic living skills and successful completion of a vocational training program. Remedial education must be arranged for those youth who must upgrade their skills to be accepted into a vocational program.
· Ensure that youth have a stable living arrangement that does not include a shelter or "welfare hotel". The latter requirement is intended to reduce the risk that youth will end up homeless after a discharge plan is made. (Irvine, 1998).
In those instances where the youth is demonstrates a need to learn one or more particular life skill, the caseworker will develop a plan to assist the youth with obtaining proficiency. Often, the youth will only need assistance developing or enhancing their money management skills. There is no definite length of time that aftercare services are provided. However, Title IV-E funding may be used to provide aftercare services for up to six months after a youth is discharged from care.
10.8.1 Termination of Services/Transition to Adult Services | 10.8.2 Aftercare